Sunday, 7 October 2012

Jill and I had a fantastic day out at the Wigtown Book Festival today. Even the drive there was wonderful with Galloway looking its best - drenched in Autumn sunshine as the trees start to turn.

Our first talk was Richard Holloway talking about the links between creativity and boredom. A truly fascinating subject. He reminded us all of the artist within us and the importance of nurturing this by allowing time for meditation, play and playfulness in our busy lives. 'We are all artists even if the only art we create is our own life' - Richard Holloway.

Next we heard Alex Danchev talk about his new biography on Cezanne. I was interested to learn that Cezanne's paintings were bought by many of his fellow artists including Picasso, Pissarro and Monet. They all collected his work and wanted to study it. I loved 'The Card Players' exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery a couple of years ago. I learnt so much more about Cezanne today - both in the way he approached his work and also his amazing intellect - had he not been a great painter he could just as easily been a great writer. I am really looking forward to reading the book, and look at the lovely inscription from the author:

Our final talk of the day was William Fiennes on his book The Snow Geese, ten years after it was published. Jill had read (and enjoyed enormously) the book in anticipation of the talk and I can't wait to read it now. The theme of having to be at home with your parents due to illness resonated with us, as did the desperate need to leave and fly the nest!

Hidden away in 'The Studio' in Wigtown was an extraordinary exhibition - I was so glad some friends drew our attention to it. It's on tour - Glasgow next, I think. This video explains all:

It's the first of October already! As promised, here are some photos of our current show. So many wonderful vibrant paintings alongside ceramics by Archie McCall and Sue Dunne - there are quite a few pieces that I would love to hang in my own home.

Tomorrow I'm off to the Wigtown Book Festival, followed by some filming at artist Lisa Hooper's house. We are making a series of films about print making and Lisa is our first. It should be great fun!